What I Am Most Thankful for in 2009

Wow, when I ask myself what I am most thankful for in 2009, seven prominent thoughts come to my mind.
1. I am thankful that my daughter arrived safely in an international country two months ago, as she went there for graduate school. It wasn't until a few years ago that I resumed traveling by airplane myself, after many years of developing a fear for it. I was so bored with seeing the same states over and over as we drove across country every year, so I decided to start traveling by airplane again. Of course traveling overseas we have no other quick choice. Even though my fears have subsided a bit, I still worry about safety when one, or both of us are on an airplane and I am so thrilled when the airplane lands at our destination. Luckily, my daughter doesn't share this fear with me, so she has become my strength. As a parent, I know we worry even more about our children than we do about ourselves - especially when our children are not at our side. Each and every day I am thankful that my daughter is safe, while she is there. When we become parents I think we are handed an invisible worry card, too. Ha! I will be thankful for a safe trip every time my daughter boards an airplane to and from her destination over this 2009 holiday season - and during the whole time that she is away at graduate school. I am extremely thankful for my daughter's overall safety, in every aspect of her life - each and every day.
2. I am thankful that my daughter had good health throughout 2009. I will continue to be very thankful for such a blessing, each and every day.
3. When I look back, I would have never thought I would be saying this next, I'm thankful for.... I am thankful for having good heart health in 2009. Two weeks before Christmas 2008, I had emergency open heart surgery - a triple bypass. If it wasn't for what I thought was slight indigestion after I ate that I rubbed away, which started about 2 weeks before the surgery and having an angiogram the day before the surgery, I would have never known I had any heart blockages. It is so true when they say, "Ignorance is bliss." Prior to the surgery I thought I was in great health and I didn't worry about any health issues. After the surgery, I guess it is understandable that every chest pain has me worrying, even though I recuperated so quickly after the surgery; I resumed driving in 2 weeks. I've heard stories about the possibility of a heart attack following the surgery, wires coming apart, stents needed in addition to the bypasses and when I can see my heart beat from the outside of my chest, I worry. When the latter happens, I go and lie down to give it a rest. I also worry that the bypasses will stop working and collapse; It happened to one of mine. I am very thankful that I made it through the whole year since the surgery and overall I have recuperated very well from it - long term.
4. I am thankful that I remained safe in 2009 - and always.
5. I am thankful that I can provide for myself with today's economic problems. I am so thankful that we have a home and I can financially keep up our home. I am also extremely thankful that I can buy food to eat to stay healthy.
6. I am thankful for a healthy family and that these family members interact well with each other.
7. I am thankful for wonderful friends and that these friends are healthy.

I have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving Day - and every day!